, 1887-08-07
AMERICAN GIPslES.
Some Novel Features of Their
Social Life.
copyrighted 1887 by THE CHHYExxH LEADEH

@'A-hA 40 IN AAao0s =
Aug. 3, lS87.-If l we're asked to tell
what was the most distinguishing trait
among the nearly two million Gipsies OF
this country, in justice to them | should
be compelled to say that it might invari-
ably be found in their love OF, and fidelity
to, their kin and kind. That is not an
unworthy trait in any people. Logically
1t involves considerate care for those
closest bound by ties of blood and mar
rage, and an ever-alert hospitality in
feeling and its expression in every. day
life. Hence there is a home and social
life among my old Gypsy friends well
worth considering.
THEY RE MILLIONS OF THEM.
This may not be like yours, or accord
ing to any of your notions, or like any
thing o know; and you may hardly
credit it concerning those you have been
taught to regard as characterless Migrants;
but it exists Just the same: and aside
from the exceptional interest in its study,
1t possesses In no few respects principles
and practices right-minded folk might
not go amiss in remembering. But that
we Americans who are 30 tremendously
cultured and proper can learn aught from
these tawny ~stragglers. is an idea as well
calculated TO create ridicule as that we
can learn anything from anybody. On
my way to this few days sojourn among
the Gipsies, | fell in with a white haired
old poet to whose memory the world will
in a few years be Justly building noble
monuments.
Going among the Gipsies2 Well,
well. WE'LL l suppose there must be one
or two hundred about the country"
"Oh, yes one or two Million [ re-
replied.
Characterization What, Clip
sies2' The dear old soul was stuplfed.
And you are going among them? Really,
now, you are not going to live right with
them?' he said with genuine concern.
Live right with them-eat, drink,
sleep, work, sing, trade horses; do any and
all things they do, just as | have a hun
dred times before done, week and month,
in and out, and then say something speci-
fcally about their home and social life. {"
Home and social life-among those
rascals2" The hurt, resentful look of in
credulity in his face was dangerous to
friendship; but there was now no retreat
for me.
Yes; and if you will be my companion
L will guarantee you excellent food, lodg-
ing upon leaves 80 sweet that the wood
land adventures of your boyhood will re-
turn as a benediction in your dreams; that
you will secure rest and recreation you
cannot find at the resorts where decent
lives are wedged and tainted between ar
roGance, vanity and vice; that you will
not be kidnapped, robbed or assassinated;
and, better than all, l will show you where
you may write a score OF poems which
will bring the world again to your feet"
NO USE FOR dIPsIEs.
The good old poet who had lived in
and ennobled this country more than his
allotted three score and ten years, gave
me a glance in which disbelief, contempt
and horror were mingled, and after a
futile effort to find some fitting verbal ex-
preston to meet the absurd emergency,
resumed the placid air rendering his pic
lures so famous for sweetness, politely
babe me good-day, and bravely trundled
down Beacon street in old Boston town:
undoubtedly wondering how nearly a cast
away n must become to develop enthu-
siasm for the lives and manners of a par
Gel of roadside vagabonds; while |, Gull
prit that ! was, after a three hours walk,
along the charming lanes and roads which
skirt one OF the most winsome and delic-
ious old cities of our continent, came TO
my wandering friends, who were pictur-
esquely ensconced in a pretty dingle not n
rifle shot away from the shores of legend
haunted Mystic lake.
A SYLVAN RETREAT.
Many a Gipsy camp have | shared, but
never a more beautiful one than this,
Hid like a nest from the highway, when
1t was reached by the winding path worn
brown and smooth by Gypsy feet, YOU
came upon a fascinating picture indeed.
Here IN the foreground was an open space
of Greensward, around which were grouped
a half dozen hood.hke tents, open to the
south, as is the Gypsy custom, and as
many covered wagons, all facing the
grassy opening. Dotting it here and
there were the low burning camp fires,
each one guarded by the grim, and sen
tInel like kettle stick, from which depend
ed pots aud kettles, the contents of which
sinmered suggestively, and sent forth
odors of toothcsome viands to come. To
the right, Just in the edge of a thickly
growing copse of hazel, were tethered the
horses and mules, while opposite, over
against u sheltering ledge of rocks, were
improvised racks for harness, saddles, and
the lnnumerable odds and ends ola camp.
Over the whole, great forest trees spread
arching branches, interlacing lovingly,
and through the foliage there. the sun,
shine filtered, lecklng everything below,
with evcrchanging light and shade. Just